Container loading day (typically 3-5 days after PSI)
2-4 hours on-site during loading
$180-280 per container
CLI report + full photo dossier + seal photo
Reduces marine-cargo claim disputes
All 6 active Indian ports
What can go wrong at container loading
The failure modes at loading are surprisingly common — surprisingly, because the buyer usually assumes 'we passed PSI, we're fine'. In our 23-year dataset across 3,000+ containers, the failure rates are:
- Wrong SKU mix loaded — 3-4% of containers. Factory mixes up cartons across POs; wrong buyer's SKUs end up in your container.
- Under-count — 2-3% of containers. Packing list says 500 cartons; actual load is 485. Buyer discovers at destination during customs check.
- Damaged cartons hidden — 1-2% of containers. Damaged cartons put at the back where the buyer's inspector can't see them at destination unloading.
- Wrong load pattern — 5-8% of containers. Load pattern causes shifting in transit; damage on arrival. Preventable with proper stacking and dunnage.
- Seal number mismatch — 1% of containers. Seal number on Bill of Lading doesn't match the physical seal on the container. Creates customs delays at destination.
- Wrong container — 0.5% of containers. Rare but happens: factory loads the wrong container number, which then travels under different paperwork.
The CLI protocol — what our inspector does
Arrival — verify empty container
Inspector arrives 2-3 hours before scheduled loading. Verifies the container number against the booking (photographed match). Inspects the empty container interior — floor damage, holes, previous cargo residue, moisture damage. Empty container photograph timestamped.
Loading — verify pallet-by-pallet
Each pallet or carton unit is verified against the packing list before loading. Carton labels checked. Quantities counted (100% carton count, sample-basis SKU verification within cartons per AQL 2.5). Damaged cartons flagged and either rejected or documented.
Load pattern — photograph pallet-by-pallet
Load pattern photographed as each pallet goes in. Useful for insurance claims if cargo shifts in transit. Dunnage (airbags, cardboard) inspected for proper placement. Weight distribution verified against container axle-load limits.
Seal — the critical photo
Container sealed with the customs seal at end of loading. Seal number verified against Bill of Lading. Seal photographed against the container number in a single frame — this photo is the single best fraud-prevention evidence in the entire dossier. If seal is broken en route, this photo proves the original number.
Sign-off — packing-in-black documented
Inspector signs the Packing-In-Black (PIB) sheet alongside the factory's warehouse manager. PIB includes: container number, seal number, total carton count, total gross weight, condition of cargo, and any exceptions. Copy attached to the CLI report.
The photo dossier — what you receive
CLI photo dossier is typically 40-80 photos per container. Delivered as a shared Google Drive folder or Dropbox link within 24 hours of loading completion.
- Empty container interior (5-8 photos).
- Container number and CSC plate photographs.
- Load-in-progress at 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% completion.
- Individual pallet photos where SKU verification was done.
- Damaged cartons documented separately (if any).
- Final loaded photo showing complete cargo before doors close.
- Seal being applied.
- Seal photographed against container number (the critical photo).
- PIB sheet scanned.
Why insurance underwriters love CLI
If cargo arrives at destination damaged, the insurance claim hinges on proving the damage happened in transit, not before. CLI photos are prima-facie evidence that cargo left India in good condition. Marine cargo insurers (Coface, Atradius, Allianz Global Corporate) typically settle CLI-documented claims 40-60% faster than undocumented claims. Some insurers offer premium discounts to buyers with CLI on every shipment.
Frequently asked
ContainerLoadingInspection(CLI)—commonquestions.
How long does CLI take on the day of loading?
2-4 hours on-site. Inspector arrives 2-3 hours before loading start, stays through loading, verifies seal, signs PIB. Photo dossier compiled and delivered within 24 hours.
Can CLI catch problems that PSI missed?
Yes — CLI catches loading-specific failures (wrong SKU mix, under-count, load-pattern damage, seal mismatch) that PSI cannot see. PSI inspects finished goods in the warehouse; CLI inspects what actually goes into the container. Different failure modes, different inspection points.
What's the cost of CLI vs the cost of a claim?
CLI: $180-280 per container. Typical claim from a wrong-SKU or under-count discovery at destination: $2,000-15,000 in dispute costs, customs delays, and reconciliation labour. ROI is heavily positive for any container over $10k FOB.
Is CLI required or optional?
Optional in most sourcing programs; strongly recommended for containers above $20k FOB. Bundled into our production-monitoring service by default. Insurance underwriters may require it for certain high-value cargo classes.
What ports do you cover for CLI?
All 6 active Indian ports: Nhava Sheva (JNPT), Mundra, Chennai, Kolkata, Pipavav, Tuticorin. Inland container depots (ICDs) in Delhi NCR, Ludhiana and Ahmedabad also covered — we do CLI at either factory-gate loading (before trucking to port) or port-gate loading (before customs clearance), depending on the shipping model.
Can CLI be done at the factory or must it be at the port?
Both. Factory-gate CLI happens at the factory or at our Delhi NCR consolidation hub. Port-gate CLI happens at the port before customs. Most buyers prefer factory-gate CLI because problems can still be corrected before trucking; port-gate is only used when the factory doesn't have secure loading space.
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